State and Society in the Middle East
F06
Mansour Farhang
This course is designed to provide an understanding of the formation and evolution of modern Middle Eastern states; it explores the foundations of authority, the nature of social order, and the circumstances of political life. Topics include the challenge of modernity to the traditional modes of thought and behavior; diversity of historical and national memories; the crises of identity and legitimacy; transformation of individual and collective consciousness; the rise of nationalist and religious movements; the role of military in politics; prospects for democracy; and the causes of international conflicts in the region. These topics are examined, both conceptually and empirically, in the context of the region’s encounters with Western powers and cultural influences. Contemporary fiction is included in the required readings.